Master of Business Administration and
Master of Arts in Organizational Management
Table of contents
Welcome from the President
An introduction to Bluffton
Standards of campus conduct
Description of the programs
Admission
Financial information
Academic procedures
Graduation requirements
Course descriptions
Weather-related cancellations
AGE office
Welcome from the President
We are very pleased that you have chosen Bluffton for graduate study. Our Graduate Programs in Business and Graduate Programs in Education are marked by innovative curricula and committed faculty. In all Bluffton academic programs, we strive to provide a learning environment that challenges students to achieve their best and which develops a global consciousness rather than a narrow professional perspective.
Our mission statement says it this way: Bluffton seeks to prepare students of all backgrounds for life as well as for vocation, for responsible citizenship, for service to all peoples, and ultimately for the purposes of God’s universal kingdom.
Founded in 1899, Bluffton enjoys a tradition of excellence in education and a long-standing commitment to educating for life. I want to wish you well as you begin your studies. I know from my own experience teaching in Bluffton’s master’s degree programs before I became President, this has the potential to be a “life-changing” time for you.
Please feel free to stop by the President’s Office in College Hall on the Bluffton campus. I look forward to meeting you.
Sincerely,
Dr. James M. Harder, President Bluffton University
An introduction to Bluffton
Bluffton is a liberal arts university in northwestern Ohio founded in 1899 by regional leaders of the General Conference Mennonite Church and is today affiliated with the Central and Eastern Districts of the Mennonite Church USA. Shaped by that historic peace church tradition, and nourished by a desire for excellence in all phases of its programs, Bluffton seeks to prepare students of all backgrounds for life as well as vocation, for responsible citizenship, for service to all peoples, and ultimately for the purpose of God’s universal kingdom. This pursuit of excellence, informed by the peace church values, expresses itself in the following Bluffton mission:
Accreditation
Bluffton holds a certificate of authorization from the Ohio Board of Regents to confer both the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science, as well as the Master of Arts in Education, Master of Arts in Organizational Management and Master of Business Administration. Bluffton is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. The Ohio Department of Education has approved the Technology Endorsement, based on ISTE standards, and the Intervention Specialist (Mild/Moderate) Licensure, based on CEC standards.
Institutional recognition
Bluffton is listed in the 2004 U.S. News and World Report's America's Best Colleges, top tier of Midwest comprehensive colleges -- bachelor's. The school is also listed in the current editions of Barron's Best Buys in College Education and the John Templeton Foundation Honor Roll for Character-building Colleges.
The purposes and qualities of life sought in this campus community are determined by the Board of Trustees in cooperation with faculty, staff and students. The university affirms that rules controlling smoking, drinking and drugs serve purposes that are appropriate on grounds of health, cleanliness, safety and regard for others. The university realizes that its rules can scarcely be expected to regulate behavior when students are not under its jurisdiction. However, that is not to say that off-campus behavior is a matter of indifference to the university community. Off-campus conduct may affect detrimentally your own academic effectiveness and the life and activities of others.There are some specific expectations that members of the community have developed as important to the quality of life desired for the university. As members of the campus community, students are encouraged to worship regularly in the church of their choice. In addition, they are expected to:
In this campus community, both students and faculty share in the responsibility of maintaining campus standards. The Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs and the Campus Judicial Board, composed of elected faculty and student representatives, handle campus disciplinary cases. Infractions of the rules and any serious misconduct become the particular concern of the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs and the Campus Judicial Board.For the students’ welfare and in the best interest of the campus community, the university reserves the right to suspend or dismiss any student at any time when the university authorities deem such action imperative.Bluffton observes the Honor System in taking examinations and writing research papers. No monitor is in the classroom during test or examination periods. Students are asked to write and sign the following pledge on every examination paper: “I am unaware of any aid having been given or received during this examination.” If a student cannot conscientiously sign this pledge, the course instructor is to be notified. Plagiarism is considered a serious violation of the Honor System. Plagiarism is presenting either the exact words of the ideas of someone else as though they are your own. It is never acceptable. A violation generally means failing the assignment, sometimes failing the course, and may result in removal from the program. Reported offenses are resolved by the director of the program in consultation with the instructor and the student.
Parking
Graduate students may park in the parking lot off Bentley Road, just south of the football stadium, and if arriving after 5 p.m., in the parking lots near Founders Hall.
MAOM and MBA
Both the Master of Arts in Organizational Management and the Master of Business Administration provide solid grounding in a broad set of management-related concepts and practices. The curriculum for each consists of twelve three-credit-hour courses, and three one-semester-hour courses.The Master of Arts in Organizational Management Program focuses on issues of organizational management. The particular strengths of the MAOM program include an emphasis on understanding the nature of the managerial role, analyzing broad societal trends related to the world of business and developing an individual work related research project. Individuals in any managerial/supervisory position, as well as those in human resources and marketing, may be most interested in the MAOM degree. The program is a group-based program with a set curriculum that is designed to be completed during two school years. Groups meet once a week. Each three-credit course meets six times in four-hour time blocks.
Description of the MBA The MBA program supplements the program’s management related topics with additional courses in finance, economics and quantitatively oriented production/operations management. Individuals employed in areas such as manufacturing supervision, finance, and accounting may be most interested in the MBA degree. The curriculum contains twelve three-credit-hour courses, and three one-semester-hour courses. The program is a group-based program with a set curriculum that is designed to be completed during two school years. Groups meet once a week. Each three-credit course meets six times in four-hour time blocks.
Both programs:
Requirements for Admission to Graduate Programs in Business
Students applying for admission to Graduate Programs in Business will need to submit the following materials to the Adult and Graduate Education Office:
Admissions Criteria
Upon receipt of all of the above information, the materials will be evaluated by the Graduate Programs in Business committee. The following are the criteria for admission to the graduate school:
Additional admissions criteria for MBA
MBA applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
Note: Transfer courses may not be used in calculating the GPA requirement needed for admission to the year two MBA courses.
Bluffton is a non-profit institution. The tuition, fees and other expenses paid by the students cover only a part of the cost. The balance is met by income from endowment and gifts, and contributions from Mennonite churches, alumni, and other friends of the university. The university reviews fees annually and reserves the right to make changes in fees and deposits.
Graduate programs in business payment plans
There are several payment plans available for MAOM and MBA students. They are described below. Payments may be made by cash, check, Visa, Mastercard or Discover. Checks should be made payable to Bluffton University. Full Payment Plan: Payment is made in full. The advance registration deposit will be applied to total fees.
Business reimbursement plan
This plan allows the student to defer payment of tuition and fees that are reimbursable by an employer. To qualify, the student must provide a copy of the employer’s reimbursement policy and verification that the student is eligible. There is a $25 per semester MAOM/MBA participation fee. Those fees that are not reimbursable by the employer must be paid by the semester plan. Semester Plan: The student’s costs are divided into four installments. The advance registration deposit will be applied to the first semester. The first payment is due at orientation. The other three payments are due on or before the first session of the second, third and fourth semester.
Penalty for late payment
Interest on past due accounts is computed at 1% per month (12%APR). Transcripts and diplomas will not be furnished until the account is paid in full. A student with an unpaid account may not continue classes in a subsequent semester.
Refund policy
Students who withdraw during any period of enrollment at Bluffton and follow the approved withdrawal procedures (see Academic Procedure) will receive refunds for instructional fees according to the following schedule:
Up to and including the first day of classes in the semester..……………………….100% refund
From second day to 10 % period of time (class days) in the semester.………………90% refund
After 10% and up to 20% period of time (class days) in the semester ………………80% refund
After 20% and up to 30% period of time (class days) in the semester ………………70% refund
After 30% and up to 40% period of time (class days) in the semester ………………60% refund
After 40% and up to 50% period of time (class days) in the semester ………………50% refund
After 50% and up to 60% period of time (class days) in the semester….……………40% refund
After 60% period of time (class days) in the semester ………………………………...No refund
*Students may contact Betty Dills in the Office of Adult and Graduate Education for information on these percentages in a specific semester. If a refund amount is owed to the student, but the student has outstanding institutional charges or if the student owes a repayment of a cash disbursement for non-institutional costs, the university will automatically apply the refund amount to those charges or repayment. The university will also notify the student in writing if either situation has occurred. Students who are Title IV recipients will have their aid recalculated as prescribed by federal return of Title IV funds law and regulation. These schedules are available to all prospective and currently enrolled students by contacting the Business Office or the Office of Financial Aid. Financial aid will be adjusted according to federal guidelines for students who withdraw.
Financial Aid
Students should familiarize themselves with the following items and make a list of those points that require action. Guidelines and Application Procedures
Entering students seeking financial assistance are required to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) designating Bluffton as one of the recipients. This application form and instruction booklet is available from the Office of Adult and Graduate Education or the Office of Financial Aid. The student’s eligibility is determined by subtracting the expected family contribution or EFC (derived from the FAFSA) from the cost of attending Bluffton. In addition to tuition and fees, estimates are included in determining the student expense budget for books and supplies, living expenses, personal expenses, dependent care and transportation. Students should be aware of application deadlines established by off-campus sources of aid including state and federal agencies. These deadlines are announced about one year before the beginning of the academic year. Students seeking to continue financial assistance must re-apply for any type of aid. The amount of financial assistance awarded each year will depend upon the student’s continuing need for aid and the amount of funds available. All aid is disbursed to students through the Business Office, typically by crediting the student’s account with a calculated amount of the aid at the beginning of each billing period.The university monitors student progress toward a degree on a per-semester basis for academic and financial aid purposes. Students who meet the academic requirements for continuing their enrollment are eligible for financial aid. Students with questions concerning financial assistance, should contact the Office of Financial Aid at (419) 358-3266. The Office of Financial Aid is available to help estimate eligibility for financial assistance. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. Noon and evening hours are available by appointment. So that financial eligibility may be determined in a timely manner, interested students should contact the Office of Financial Aid at (419) 358-3266 four to six weeks prior to the beginning of their first MAOM/MBA class.
Loan Programs
Bluffton graduate students are eligible for the Federal Student Loan Program (Stafford), subsidized or unsubsidized, for which they must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA applications are available in the Office of Adult and Graduate Education and in the Office of Financial Aid. Non-federal loan alternatives exist for students who do not wish to file the FAFSA or who are unable to cover the cost of attendance with traditional Federal Stafford Loans. Additional information is available through the Office of Financial Aid. Students may also check with their bank or other lender for possible home equity loans that may be available with tax-deductible interest.
Other Option for Financing Tuition
Employer Assistance
Some employers provide educational assistance benefits to their employees. Students should check to see if their employer provides educational assistance and provide a copy of this plan to Betty Dills in the AGE office.
Academic Procedures
Registration
All registration for students is done directly through the Office of Adult and Graduate Education. A $75 registration deposit paid upon acceptance into the program holds a student’s place in a cohort. Registration for subsequent semesters is done automatically by the Office of Adult and Graduate Education.
Schedule of Classes
Starting dates for the MAOM/MBA groups are determined by the Graduate Management Programs committee. The schedule for the MAOM/MBA cohorts, listing all session dates and holiday breaks, is distributed prior to the first class session.
Students will be evaluated on a letter grade system that involves quality points. Students in good standing must maintain a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and grades will be calculated in the following manner: A 4.0 B- 2.7
A- 3.7 C+ 2.3
B+ 3.3 C 2.0
B 3.0 F .0 Academic Probation
Any time that a student’s end-of-the-semester cumulative GPA in the MAOM/MBA program falls below 3.0 the student is placed on academic probation. A student who is placed on probation must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 by the end of the next semester of coursework or he/she will be placed on academic suspension.
Academic Suspension
A student is suspended when he/she fails to achieve a 3.0 grade point after 9 hours of probation. A student who has been suspended may retake courses for which he/she received less than a grade of B and may be considered for readmission and regular coursework once the repeat course work has raised the student’s GPA to 3.0. Tuition for courses that are being retaken is charged at the current tuition rate.
Conditional Admission
When an applicant fails to meet the regular admission requirements and there is cause for significant concern about the student’s success in the program the MAOM/MBA faculty committee (or the director/designee and a subgroup of two MAOM/MBA committee members during the summer) may choose to grant conditional admission to that applicant. A student who is conditionally admitted must achieve a 3.0 grade average during the first semester of studies in order to be removed from that status. A conditionally admitted student who fails to achieve a GPA of 3.0 during the first semester of studies will be placed on academic suspension. At this point the regular suspension procedures apply.
Special Status
Special student status may be granted to an applicant to complete three one-hour short courses prior to regular admission to the MAOM/MBA program. Based on individual circumstances, special student status also may be granted to a non-degree seeking student who holds a bachelor’s degree and wishes to take one regular three-hour course. The following are required for admission as a special student:
Courses in the graduate programs will be listed for students on graduate transcripts that will be maintained separately from undergraduate transcripts. Evaluation of satisfactory progress toward graduation and of completion of graduation requirements will be done at the conclusion of each semester by the Registrar’s Office in conjunction with the director of the MAOM/MBA. The student will be required to have a 3.0 GPA and complete the program within four years after his/her initial classes in order to be recommended for the degree by the director of the Graduate Programs in Business. The recommendation for the degree is to be submitted to the Graduate Programs in Business Committee for approval and then submitted to the faculty for its approval. A list of recommended graduates is given to the vice president and dean of academic affairs for approval and to the President for conferring of the degree.
Withdrawal Process
Students who wish to withdraw from the program must notify the Office of Adult and Graduate Education in writing. If written notification of withdrawal is not submitted, the student sacrifices his/her right to return and may obtain readmission only by petitioning the faculty and receiving consent.
Class Attendance
Students are expected to attend all sessions of each course. If an absence is unavoidable, a student must discuss that absence with the professor. Additional assignments may be required of the absent student.
Evaluation of Instruction
Student evaluation of instruction is coordinated through the Office of Adult and Graduate Education. Students will be given opportunity to evaluate courses on forms distributed by the professor at the end of each course. The evaluation forms are distributed in class and class time is used for students to complete them. They are then returned to the Office of Adult and Graduate Education. They will be tabulated by the Registrar’s Office and a report will be given to each instructor with an evaluation summary for each course as well as a summary for all courses taught by all faculty. No reports will be given to faculty until grades are turned in.
MGT505 The Theory and Practice of Management
MGT510 Organizations, Management and American Culture
MGT515 Data Analysis and Decision Making
MGT520 Professional Ethics and the Common Good
MGT525 Financial Decision Making
MGT530 Managing People in Organizations
MGT590 Integrative Seminar I (MAOM only)
MGT605 Contemporary Consumers and Global Culture (MAOM only)
MGT610 Marketing for the Non-Marketing Manager
MGT615 Organizations and Information Technology (MAOM only)
MGT620 Organizations and the Global Economy
MGT625 Strategic Issues in Contemporary Management
MGT630 Organizational Financial Management (MBA only)
MGT635 Managerial Economics (MBA only)
MGT640 Production and Operations Management (MBA only)
and three of the following:
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Weather-related cancellations
Office of Adult and Graduate Education
The Office of Adult and Graduate Education is located on the third floor of Hauenstein Hall in Riley Court. The office may be reached at 1-800-488-3257, option 4 or at adulted@bluffton.edu.
